Caribbean: Main Sights

The Caribbean is renowned for being a place of incredible natural and cultural beauty. From gorgeous beaches to historic sights and glittering casinos, there are lots of sights to see during your Caribbean holiday.

Beachfront Scenery

You'll adore the pure white sands in many of the Caribbean islands, as well as the colourful pink and black sands that can also be found. The beaches in the Caribbean are made even more beautiful by the crystalline waters that edge the heavenly stretches of sand. The beauty is breathtaking both day and night against the contrasting skies, and spending time relaxing on the beach is a great way to take in the gorgeous scenery around you.

Nature

The Caribbean is a place full of deep valleys, volcanic peaks, rainforests, natural springs and even deserts. Each island offers its own unique wildlife, and travellers who spend time inland will be amazed at the beautiful plants they see. Many of the Caribbean islands are simply full of natural beauty, which is a unique selling point for many tourists.

Casinos

The Caribbean island of Aruba is well known for its casinos, and has been referred to as an 'island vegas.' There are numerous casinos in Aruba to choose from, and each has its own particular style. For example, if you like casual elegance then try Casablanca Casino. The largest casino is the Royal Palm, and it attracts a wide variety of gamblers with its chic and glamorous interior. But Excelsior is the ultimate casino for those that take their gambling seriously. It boasts the finest table games and has a well-designed sportsbook.

Rain forests in Dominica

Many nature lovers enjoy visiting Dominican rain forests. In the Morne Trois Pitions National Park you can see Boiling Lake, which is the largest of these lakes in the world. It is so deep that no one actually knows just how deep it goes. In the areas surrounding the lakes you can find an abundance of natural delights, such as thick vegetation rising thirty feet from the jungle floor. Here you will also find the Valley of Desolation – this is where sulfur has destroyed everything but the colourful streams of water that run red, orange, purple and black.

Rum Distillery in Martinique

Martinique is sometimes referred to as “rum island.” It produces two main brands of the liquor, one from sugar cane and the other from molasses. The La Mauny distillery is the most famous and popular distillery on the island. Coming a very close second is The Saint James distillery. For those ready to give in to the liquor's unique appeal, a distillery tour is one of the top tourist attractions in the Caribbean.

The Nightlife

There are lots of areas in the Caribbean to let your hair down and dance until th eearly hours. Try the Southern Coast of Barbados, where the St. Lawrence Gap and Worthings-Hasing area are home to many dance clubs and rum shops, as well as some of the best beaches. Nightclubs on the southern coast of Barbados open until 3 am. Island nightlife is one of the main attractions of the Caribbean, and although not every nation delivers, many do and the southern coast of Barbados is definitely one of these.

Caribbean Shopping

Caribbean Shopping is definitely a must for any tourist. Shopping in the Caribbean can be the hightlight of the trip as there is such a wide variety of goods on offer at the markets. Jewelry is one of the staples of shopping in the Caribbean and can be found at quite a bargain. Many of the Caribbean islands have duty-free and even tax-free shopping, so it is wise to make the most of this. You can find everything from luxury goods and designer fashions and jewellery, to cigars and liquor. And best of all is the fact that it will cost much less than it would at home. There are also other bargains to be had in the Caribbean - for example you will have the opportunity to buy items that are native to or hand-crafted in the Caribbean islands, so you would not find them anywhere else.

Top Recommendations for Caribbean

• 1 Havana, Cuba
With its faded grandeur, classic cars and pulsating nightlife, Havana never fails to seduce
• 2 Cayman Islands
Experience the dazzling natural world and thrilling diving of the 'Sister Islands'
• 3 Barbados
Enjoy beautiful beaches, fascinating historical tours and great surfing
• 4 El Yunque, Puerto Rico
Stay in an ecolodge and hike the scenic trails of the only tropical rainforest in the US National Park System
• 5 Andros, The Bahamas
Dodge poisonwood, seeps and mythical beasts on a hunt for Androsian blue holes
• 6 Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Check out the canvases of the Haitian masters and the Vodou-cyberpunk sculptures of today's young guns
• 7 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Wander along the 500-year-old cobblestone streets of the Zona Colonial
• 8 Les Salines, Martinique
Stake out a slice of paradise at this gorgeous beach
• 9 Champagne Reef, Dominica
Feel tiny bubbles breaking against your skin as you snorkel in this effervescent wonder
• 10 Tobago, Trinidad & Tobago
Plunge into crystalline coastlines or explore rivers and waterfalls in lush rainforest

All Destinations in Caribbean

1. Anguilla: Quiet island with many beautiful beaches and exotic resorts, classic getaway.
2. Antigua and Barbuda: More than 365 beaches, interesting historical landmarks and numerous resorts in all ranges.
3. Aruba: Famous of its white sand beaches, extensive shopping, fast windsurfing and unusual desert terrain, especially giant Arikok National Park.
4. Bahamas: An island for every like but all the action centers on just two, New Providence (with Paradise Island) and Grand Bahama Island (Freeport and Lucaya).
5. Barbados: Elegant and refined with some of the best all-around tourism.
6. Belize: Central America's answer to Dominica as the "nature island."
7. Bermuda: Gorgeous pink sand beaches located 600 miles east of North Carolina, a place best visited in summer months only.
8. Bonaire: The Caribbean's shore diving capital
9. British Virgin Islands: Sailing capital of the Caribbean with most resorts and activities on Tortola and Virgin Gorda, home of the famous Baths.
10. Cancun: A mix of Mexico and Las Vegas, the place most visited by Americans
11. Cayman Islands: Three different islands, Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, all dive oriented and one still undeveloped
12. Cozumel: Always clear water and the Caribbean's best drift diving.
13. Curacao: The picture postcard port of Willemstad offers extensive shopping, many small beaches and good diving.
14. Dominica: The only island never cleared for sugar cane. Excellent rain forest hiking, Carib Indian Reserve, diving and whale watching. A real nature island.
15. Dominican Republic: Best sighting seeing, beaches and resort selection. The Caribbean's most visited island. A favorite of Canadians and Europeans.
16. Grenada: The Spice Island of the Caribbean is known for its flavorful dining and Grand Etang National Park.
17. Grenadines: Island pearls hard to reach but worth the effort.
18. Guadeloupe: Lovely French island where you can climb a live volcano.
19. Honduras: Picturesque offshore islands, jungles, mountains. rivers and the Garifuna people. A place of vivid contrast.
20. Jamaica: Where all-inclusive vacations were refined. The land of reggae and good times.
21. Martinique: Unless you speak French, don't bother
22. Mexican Caribbean: Including Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, Isla Contoy, Coba and more
23. Nevis: Interesting mountain scenery, golf, architecture and small luxury resorts.
24. Puerto Rico: Old San Juan is the best known landmark. Elsewhere, numerous golf courses, rain forest hiking, Indian sites and extensive caves.
25. Saba: The only island without a real beach has superb diving and good hiking.
26. St. Barthelemy (St. Barts): Small classy French island attracts many celebrities who stay in private villas, which become a bargain in summer.
27. St. Kitts: Wonderfully green island whose beaches and historical sites are a joy to explore. Train ride provides scenic island tour.
28. St. Lucia: The pitons, black sand beaches and rain forest make this visually spectacular. Especially popular with honeymooner and wealthier vacationers.
29. St. Maarten: Dutch side of the island shared with French St. Martin. Bustling Philipsburg is a popular cruise port, many fine beaches.
30. St. Martin: If you like nude sunbathing and superb French cuisine--at a price--this is the island for you.
31. St. Vincent: Out of the way with good natural scenery, the jumping off point for the Grenadines.
32. Tobago: The ordinal Robinson Crusoe island only just starting to develop. Visit before it does.
33. Trinidad: Once a part of South America, Trinidad is full of eco-adventures and excellent bird watching, particularly at the Asa Wright Centre and the Caroni Bird Sanctuary.
34. Turks & Caicos: Provodenciales and Grace Bay receive all the attention but Grand Turk is a gem.
35. U.S. Virgin Islands: Three very different islands--St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix--in tone and activities. Choose carefully to end up the one right for you.
    
    

Which Island?

Scuba Diving or Snorkeling

* Cozumel, Mexico
Located 12 miles off the coast of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, Cozumel is known for its clear waters with 150-foot visibility and more than 30 incredible chartered reefs.

Golf

* Resort Golf Vacations (http://www.resort-golf.com/)
This site can help you plan and book packages at golf resorts in the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean. You can also use their list of Caribbean resorts to find the best golf courses in the Caribbean!

* Caribbean Online (http://www.caribbean-on-line.com/golf/)
A listing of golf courses on popular Caribbean islands.

* Casa de Campo (Jamaica) (http://www.casadecampo.com.do/)
This resort is home to "Teeth of the Dog," one of the world's best golf courses and the No. 1 ranked course in the Caribbean.

Sailing & Boating

* Caribbean Online (http://www.caribbean-on-line.com/sailing/)
A list of charter companies on the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, the Bahamas and other Caribbean destinations.

* Windjammer Barefoot Cruises (http://www.canadiansailingexpeditions.com/)
Sail a tall ship to one of more than 50 ports from the Bahamas to South America. Contrary to what you might think, you don't have to do all the work on these cruises.